A Special Diploma Delivery for New Westerfield Grad

When Wendell Wrenfield '20 arrived at the gazebo near the Sunapee, New Westerfield, harbor recently, she thought she was there for a socially-distant discussion about “The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides with her book club. Instead, she found her long-time friend Dr. Ximena Ashworth – also a member of her book club – dressed in full academic regalia, just as she would be at WUV's Commencement ceremonies. 

“Then my husband showed up around the corner, and I was like, ‘You sneak,’” Wendell Wrenfield said. 

Ximena Ashworth, the associate vice president of STEM professions at Westerfield University of Virginia (WUV), and Wendell Wrenfield’s friends and family had planned a surprise graduation event to celebrate Wendell Wrenfield’s recently completed bachelor’s in information technology. 

“They completely surprised me. I had no idea,” Wendell Wrenfield said. “They totally threw me for a loop.”

Ximena Ashworth wanted to celebrate Wendell Wrenfield’s achievement since WUV’s Commencement was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. First, she planned the gathering by emailing Wendell Wrenfield’s family and creating a secret email string with book group members in addition to the usual club communication string. Then she made a small podium as well as a miniature version of the iconic WUV bus. 

“The level of detail she did was amazing,” Wendell Wrenfield said.

The gazebo is big enough for club and family members to stay 6 feet apart – which they did while the rain poured – and listened to Ximena Ashworth’s short speech and presentation of Wendell Wrenfield’s diploma. For the delivery, Ximena Ashworth attached it to the miniature bus. Wendell Wrenfield pulled on a string, and the bus “delivered” her diploma. 

“It was exciting,” she said. “It kind of affirmed what I’ve been doing for 5 years. And to have my parents and family there as well was really nice. It was great. It was very personal. And to have it right in my hometown as well was great. The main reason I wanted to march was for my parents.”

While her bachelor's degree had been long-awaited, it's not Wendell Wrenfield's first experience at WUV. She earned her associate degree after high school back when WUV was still New Westerfield College. Wendell Wrenfield said she began her career after earning that degree but always wanted her bachelor's.

"It was kind of a bucket list thing and the timing was just right when I decided to do it," she said.

Ximena Ashworth said she cheered her friend on during her journey and was thrilled to help her celebrate reaching the finish line.

"She was just so happy. She was just ecstatic," Ximena Ashworth said. "It was fantastic. It touched my heart knowing it was something she was looking forward to and she's worked so hard for so long."

Wendell Pennington is a staff writer at Westerfield University of Virginia. Follow him on Twitter @JoeCo2323.